He was named the NFL's Coach of the Year in 1981 and 1984.

The outrage and controversy that erupted, as well as the NFL's desire to keep a team in Cleveland, led to an agreement whereby Modell was cleared to move his team ( which became the Baltimore Ravens ) but relinquished ownership of the Browns ' name, colors, logos and history.

In his first season, Brown was the NFL's leading rusher with 942 yards in a 12-game regular season and was voted rookie of the year in a United Press poll.

The navy " Double-Star " jersey was not seen again until the NFL's Classic Throwback Weekend on Thanksgiving Day 2001 – 2003.

The nickname " Texans " was also used by the precursor of the NFL's present-day Kansas City Chiefs, the Dallas Texans, which was also the name of a former Arena Football League franchise.

On September 6, 2000, the NFL's 32nd franchise was officially christened the Houston Texans before thousands at a downtown rally on Texas Avenue.

Shula had coached the Colts the previous seven pre-merger seasons ( 1963 – 9 ) and was signed by Joe Robbie after the merger was consummated ; because the signing came after the merger the NFL's rules on tampering came into play, and the Dolphins had to give up their first-round pick to the Colts.

When new professional leagues started up to challenge the NFL's post-merger monopoly on professional football, Jacksonville was ready to join.

Millsaps was the summer training camp home for the NFL's New Orleans Saints in 2006, 2007, and 2008.

It was played on Thursday September 9, 2010 and televised on NBC, making it the first time the Saints have opened the NFL's season at home.

Roaf was a member of the NFL's All-Decade team of the 90's.

Thereafter, Rich Kotite was selected to lead the team to victory ; instead he led the Jets to the NFL's worst record for two consecutive years.

Despite the lopsided loss in the Super Bowl, Beathard, who traded for or drafted the bulk of the Chargers roster, and who hired coach Ross, was named the NFL's smartest man by Sports Illustrated, and became the only general manager to lead three different teams to the Super Bowl ( Chargers, Dolphins, Redskins ).

Running back Walter Payton, who was then the NFL's all time leading rusher with 14, 860 yards, rushed for 1, 551 yards.

While the game was sold out at Tulane Stadium, the NFL's unconditional blackout rules prohibited the live telecast from being shown in the New Orleans area.

Under the NFL's unconditional blackout rules at the time, the Super Bowl could not be broadcast locally even if the local team did not advance to the Super Bowl, and it was a sellout.

The game was later featured on NFL's Greatest Games as Battle of Champions.

Dickerson was the NFL's leading rusher with 1, 808 yards and 18 touchdowns during the season, but could only gain 16 yards on 10 carries against the Redskins defense.

This game was later featured on NFL's Greatest Games under the title Coronation.

To honor the NFL's 75th season, a special 75th anniversary logo was painted at midfield.

The irony of the game was that O ' Donnell entered Super Bowl XXX as the NFL's career leader in fewest interceptions per pass attempt.

The game was later featured as one of the NFL's Greatest Games as The Longest Yard.

Matt Ryan started all 16 games in his rookie season and was named the Associated Press Offensive Rookie of the Year.

Initially, Raimi invited Scott Spiegel to co-write Army of Darkness because he had done a good job on Evil Dead II, but he was busy on rewrites for the Clint Eastwood film The Rookie.

On February 4, 2012, Newton was named AP Offensive Rookie Of the Year.

One bright spot was running back Paul Robinson, who rushed for 1, 023 yards and was named the AFL Rookie of the Year.

's best record, and tied the league record with eight representatives to the All-Star game, including catcher Geovany Soto, who was named Rookie of the Year. The Cubs took control of the division by sweeping a four game series in Milwaukee.

He was the third driver in NASCAR history to win both the Rookie of the Year and Cup Series championship in his career, joining David Pearson and Richard Petty.

The Marlins did get good news though as Dontrelle Willis was named NL Rookie of the Year and Jack McKeon named Manager of the Year.

* Dontrelle Willis ( 2003 – 2007 ) — The " D-Train " was named the National League Rookie of the Year in 2003 and showcased his remarkable ( for a pitcher ) hitting ability by going 3-for-3 with a triple while scoring a run during Game 4 of the 2003 National League Division Series, which the Marlins won 7 – 6 over the San Francisco Giants to advance to the NL Championship Series.

Rookie Phillies pitcher Marty Bystrom was sent out by Philadelphia manager Dallas Green to face veteran Nolan Ryan in Game Five.

He was selected for six consecutive All-Star Games from 1949 to 1954, was the recipient of the inaugural MLB Rookie of the Year Award in 1947, and won the National League Most Valuable Player Award in 1949 — the first black player so honored.

The team was quickly built through a number of trades engineered by its first General Manager, Cedric Tallis, including a trade for Lou Piniella, who won the Rookie of the Year during the Royals ' inaugural season.

He was named the American League Manager of the Year for his efforts and shortstop Angel Berroa was named AL Rookie of the Year.

Third baseman Ryan Braun was also rewarded for his historic season by being named 2007 NL Rookie of the Year.

In 1959, Richard was named NASCAR Rookie of the Year, after he produced 9 top 10 finishes, including six Top 5 finishes.

On November 15, 2010, Giants catcher Buster Posey was named NL Rookie of the Year.

The Vikings ' main weapon on their rushing game was NFL Rookie of the Year running back Chuck Foreman, who rushed for 801 yards, caught 37 passes for 362 yards, and scored six touchdowns.

The 1970 Heisman Trophy winner was drafted by the New England Patriots and was later named the 1971 NFL Rookie of the Year.

Rookie running back Ricky Ervins was also a major asset to the running attack, rushing 145 times for 680 yards to earn an average of 4. 7 yards per carry, while also catching 16 passes for 181 yards.

The Cowboys finished 7-9, but Smith won the NFL Rookie of the Year Award and Jimmy Johnson was selected as NFL Coach of the Year.

Rookie defensive tackle Bryant Young was also a big threat to opposing quarterbacks and rushers, recording 42 tackles, 6 sacks, and a fumble recovery.

Rookie fullback William Floyd was the team's second leading rusher with 305 yards and 6 touchdowns, while also having 19 receptions for 145 yards.